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Governor: Tim Pawlenty

SNAPSHOT Gov. Tim Pawlenty won his office in 2002 in
a three-way race, accumulating 45 percent of the vote cast.
His election highlighted a Republican shift in Minnesota. Although faced with
massive budget deficits from the start, Pawlenty's job approval ratings have
been consistently high. The hallmark of his administration has been his decision
to sign -- and stick by -- the Minnesota Taxpayers League no-new-taxes pledge.

Pawlenty's name has been mentioned quite often in musings
about Minnesota politicians who may have a future in national politics. While
insisting he has no designs on higher office, his visit to the Club for Growth
in New York City during the 2004 Republican National Convention, raised eyebrows
since the club is considered a kingmaker for politicians with an interest
in a bigger stage. And club members were smitten with Pawlenty's stance on
taxes and the economy.

If he does have intentions beyond the governor's office,
the election of 2006 is critical if he is to maintain a position from which
he can launch other campaigns. He won the September 2006 primary, easily beating Sue Jeffers 89-to-11 percent.

Candidate Bio

Political affiliation:Republican Party

Born: November 27, 1960. South St. Paul,
Minn.

Personal:Married to Mary, two children (Anna,
Mara). Resides in Eagan. Protestant.

Occupation:Governor. Attorney.

Education:South St. Paul High School. BA Political science from University of Minnesota. Law degree from University of Minnesota.

Major political experience:Eagan City Council member. He served
10 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives, including
four as House Majority Leader.

In their first and only post-primary debate outside of the Twin
Cities, the two frontrunners and Independence Party candidate Peter
Hutchinson were forced to address the medical research issue and a
railroad expansion that both loom large in the state's
third-largest city.
(10/05/2006)

Cathy Wurzer spoke with reporter John Vomhoff, Jr. with the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, who monitored corporate campaign contributions in the state's gubernatorial race from January through August this year.
(09/22/2006)

Three independent polls this week say the race for governor in Minnesota is essentially a dead heat between Republican incumbent Tim Pawlenty and DFLer Mike Hatch. The top candidates' campaign managers talk about their strategy in the coming weeks.
(09/22/2006)